Fed travel down by 17% – Plus the DorobekINSIDER’s 7 Stories

On GovLoop Insights’ DorobekINSIDER:

• Getting the right person in the right job is a monumental task for HR professionals in government. And in these tight economic times getting the hiring right on the first try is imperative. So how do you hire effectively quickly? 10 tips to do it effectively.

The SEVEN stories that impact your life:

1. Federal travel card spending is down by 17 percent, compared to last year. Federal Times reported, the decrease in travel spending from 2012 is equivalent to about $1.3 billion and is primarily due to efforts by multiple agencies to limit their conference spending.

2. The General Services Administration has found a creative way to raise revenue and save taxpayer dollars. Federal Times reported, GSA has made $500,000 in the past three years by renting out federal buildings for use in television shows and movies.

3. The Defense Logistics Agency intends to reduce its operating and material costs by $13.1 billion over the next six years and will be relying upon defense contractors to assist with these financial cutbacks. In particular, software from the nonprofit, consulting firm LMI will help DLA to limit its procurement spending reported Federal Times.

4. The Defense Department is preparing for another wave of automatic budget cuts next year as a result of sequestration. Federal News Radio reported that if these budget cuts occur, they will amount to approximately $52 billion and result in the laying off of at least 6,272 members of DOD’s civilian workforce, the majority of which will come from the Defense Contract Management Agency.

5. As of last week the Merit Systems Protection Board has received over 30,000 furlough appeals, the majority of which came from DOD civilian employees reports, Federal News Radio. Due to the large volume, the Board is still working on docketing appeals and expects to complete this process after Labor Day. The Board anticipates that the adjudication process for these appeals will begin shortly after they are docketed.

6. Currently in the peak of wildfire season, the Forest Service is having to divert money from other parts of its budget to fight large fires presently raging throughout the U.S. Federal News Radio reports that the Forest Service will be diverting $600 million from timber, recreation, and other areas to provide for the needed fire crews and equipment.

7. In light of DOD’s recent announcement to extend special uncharged leave benefits to same-sex partners wishing to be married, U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) sent a letter today to Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, protesting DOD’s actions. According to a press release on the Senator’s website, Sen. Inhofe objects to the extension of benefits not given to opposite-sex couples as well and questions whether the DOD even has the legal authority to grant uncharged leave to couples wishing to be married.

The DorobekINSIDER water-cooler fodder

• Are you ready for the 2016 Presidential election? The GOP is getting ready. Politico has your preview.

• The Atlantic asks – How can millennials change Washington if they hate it?